France, Aug. 29 -- Towns in rural north-east France have been forced to give up tap water after record levels of toxic "forever chemicals", or PFAS, were found. Locals are worried about their health, while mayors say they have been left powerless.

For the past six months, 3,500 people in around 20 towns across the Meuse and Ardennes departments have had to rely on bottled water for drinking and cooking.

"I need to buy more, I'm running out," says Marion, a foster carer in Malandry, pointing to four packs of bottled water stacked in her garage.

With the taps off limits, she now stocks up at the supermarket each week.

"I don't have a choice, especially as I look after very young children. There's no way I'll let them drink the tap water...